James 4
In this chapter, James gets right into what just about everyone struggles with - envy and selfishness (v1-4). Core to much of our sin starts with envy and selfishness, and on a related note (thanks to DesiringGod.com for this great post), our pride often leads us to believe that we can be "excepted" from our sin that stems from envy and selfishness.
We MUST remain humble and recognize how sinful we ALL really are and this should draw us in the arms of Jesus.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who came to nail my sin...and the sin of all humanity, to the cross...You willingly laid down Your live for me so that I would no longer be slave to sin - thank You Jesus that You did this and SO MUCH MORE for me. I am grateful. Of course I am undeserving. I sin...daily...sometimes much more than I often am willing to admit. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. v3
In this chapter, James gets right into what just about everyone struggles with - envy and selfishness (v1-4). Core to much of our sin starts with envy and selfishness, and on a related note (thanks to DesiringGod.com for this great post), our pride often leads us to believe that we can be "excepted" from our sin that stems from envy and selfishness.
We MUST remain humble and recognize how sinful we ALL really are and this should draw us in the arms of Jesus.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who came to nail my sin...and the sin of all humanity, to the cross...You willingly laid down Your live for me so that I would no longer be slave to sin - thank You Jesus that You did this and SO MUCH MORE for me. I am grateful. Of course I am undeserving. I sin...daily...sometimes much more than I often am willing to admit. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
